Used to be a healthcare worker who quit during Covid. We don’t need more lip service and fake awards, we need better wages and working conditions
this post was submitted on 28 Apr 2025
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I work adjacent to healthcare workers and yeah. It's BS that they're dealing with all kinds of worse shit than I am, more hours, and aren't getting paid as well. And I'm not even doing great myself. The company just keeps tightening the screws on all of us too.
I don't see things changing without a coordinated strike and deaths from lack of care. I also don't think most healthcare workers are up for that.
It always amuses me when local shops/restaurants give discounts to cops but not to mental health workers. Like, we often clean up trauma inflicted by cops. Get your priorities straight.
Cop discounts are more about ensuring frequent patrols than anything altruistic.
You are totally right about that.
Great. More applause instead of actual recognition (aka more money/better benefits)
It's two separate things. It doesn't have to be one or the other, they can have both.
I rhink its a great idea. Having a chest full of ribbons to represent a career of saving lives (instead of taking them) is inspiring to others, especially people who are new in the career, or considering it.
I know what you’re saying but one should be being brought up more than the other.
If it's both: Even better.
But being realistic, I don't think that will be a thing.
Yeah, I agree. Employers generally don't like their employees feeling too good about themselves. Can't have the slaves getting all uppity, they might demand more.
How about we just pay them decent wages and don’t work them to the bone?
I could not agree more the point is to show the level of trauma these people go through. To pressure admin to give them all that they deserve Hopefully
I think we should every week, step outside of our houses and just clap for them. That's all the appreciation they need. Just an afternoon clap.
Let's not turn healthcare into a cult too.
Or we could stop gamifying slaughter and stop giving soldiers medals, and use the money to pay for healthcare.
How about we stop worshipping military like a fucking cult, while we are at the same time badgering federal government employees and fucking them over.
Work is work. Treat people with respect, and make no politicians or job types into legends or cults.
During the beginning of the pandemic, there was this bit where they recognized teachers. Just a moment - but there was some acknowledgment of how complicated it was to have to pivot to virtual, how some of us did shit like deliver stuff to students or volunteer for the kitchens to help get out free lunches.
I didn’t need a medal, but it would have been nice to have acknowledgement of “a student tried to kill themselves in your classroom and you kept calm.” When children and teenagers were physically aggressive with me, unlike a cop, I had to come up with strategies that aren’t shooting them. (Several teachers were injured in riots at our feeder middle school lol.)
I read "hellcare workers" and it seems fitting enough
They do don't they? Well maybe not ribbons and medals but I swear they get little awards and certificates right? Hell I can get awards and certificates if I kissed more ass at work.
In fact I know a couple health professionals I'll ask them.
Edit: yep they do. One got 2 medals and a challenge coin for Covid and also gets coronation medals as well. He did say if you go to something serious you are usually awarded with only councilling though.
I guess they can't really wear those on their scrubs every day for sanitary reasons. I do love the idea.